U S J I C O N E W S L E T T E R M A Y 2 0 1 8 I S S U E 8
C R I T I C A L T H I N K I N G
C r i t i c a l t h i n k i n g , o r t h e s k i l l o f " t h i n k i n g r a t i o n a l l y a n d c l e a r l y a b o u t w h a t t o d o o r b e l i e v e " , i s e x p e c t e d t o b e o n e o f t h e t o p 3 m o s t s o u g h t - a f t e r s k i l l s i n e m p l o y e e s b y 2 0 2 0 . I t i s a f u n d a m e n t a l a b i l i t y a s i t c a n b e a p p l i e d t o a l l a r e a s i n l i f e . A c c o r d i n g t o t h e H o n g K o n g U n i v e r s i t y , b e s i d e s b e i n g e s s e n t i a l f o r s e l f - r e f l e c t i o n , i t i m p r o v e s l a n g u a g e a n d p r e s e n t a t i o n s k i l l s , s t i m u l a t e s c r e a t i v i t y a n d i s t h e b a s i s o f s c i e n c e a n d d e m o c r a c y .
T h e O p e n U n i v e r s i t y o u t l i n e s a “ s t a i r w a y ” t o f a c i l i t a t e s t u d e n t c o m p r e h e n s i o n r e g a r d i n g t h e c o n c e p t :
1 . Process . Take in the information .
2 . Understand . Comprehend the key points , assumptions , arguments and evidence presented .
6 . Evaluate . Assess the worth of an idea in terms of its relevance to your needs , the evidence on which it is based and how it relates to other pertinent ideas .
3 . Analyze . Examine how these key components fit together and are related .
7 . Apply . Transfer the understanding to the matter in question .
4 . Compare . Explore the similarities and differences .
8 . Justify . Use critical thinking to justify your arguments and opinions .
5 . Synthesize . Bring together different sources of information and make logical connections .
Sources : http :// philosophy . hku . hk / think / critical / ct . php , https :// learn1 . open . ac . uk Pictures : https :// www . opencolleges . edu . au , https :// cemahcreative . com , gowithcb . com